Bernadette Smith 10/18/24 Bernadette Smith 10/18/24

5 Things / Butt Kicked

I did it again. I was playing pickleball this week when I caught myself making an assumption about another player, someone I’d never met. Let’s just say, I was ready to kick some butt on the court, but instead got my butt kicked.

Bernadette Smith 9/6/24 Bernadette Smith 9/6/24

5 Things / Hang On

OK, let’s get real: I’m sick of hearing about this Robby Starbuck creep and companies pulling back from the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index and DEI more broadly.

Bernadette Smith 5/17/24 Bernadette Smith 5/17/24

5 Things / Karen

My son Patrick and I were waiting at a fast food restaurant, that, on this occasion, was not very fast. We were on the way to an appointment and I was growing impatient. Patrick, 13, turned to me and said, “Mom, don’t go all Karen on them.”

Bernadette Smith 4/22/22 Bernadette Smith 4/22/22

5 Things / Getting It Right

I’m part of a Facebook group where there was a hot debate this week after a particular speaker was announced for an upcoming event. With fears of cancel culture, cries for freedom of speech, and heartfelt descriptions of personal trauma, I was reminded of just how polarized we are. And how it sure is easy to hide behind a Facebook post.

Bernadette Smith 10/22/21 Bernadette Smith 10/22/21

5 Things / the “full self” fallacy

Inclusion at its core, is about creating spaces where everyone feels safe to be authentically themselves, to "bring their full selves to work." And we're told (and frankly, I tell others) that the true rewards of DEI (creativity, innovation, profit, etc) come when employees bring their full selves.